Science & Technology - Briefs

evolution Learn to live with it

Obama steps on accelerator

Goes for auto emission cuts from far behind in the race us president Barack Obama has set in motion a national policy that is expected to make cars and trucks in the country 30 per cent more fuel efficient by 2016. The policy is also expected to cut 900 million tonnes of greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions from vehicles between 2012 and 2016. This is equal to taking 177 million cars off America's roads. The

Ships contribute to warming

Reduce speed of ships to control their emissions

Cess on diesel car

luxury diesel cars may become dearer and bulk diesel consumers may no longer get fuel at subsidized rates. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas plans to impose 25 per cent cess on big diesel cars and charge industrial consumers the market price of Rs 57 per litre, Rs 22 more than the current price. The railways and state transport undertakings will be exempted from paying the market price.

Correcting distortions

A committee recommends rationalization of diesel and petrol prices The long awaited pricing formula for petroleum products to bail out the oil industry from impending bankruptcy has been tabled. If put into effect this prescription can correct distorted prices of automotive fuels of petrol and diesel and halt misuse of under-taxed and under-priced diesel by the car sector.

Brief

land compensation Tikait arrested

South Asia

Petrol price hiked again: Pakistan's government has raised petrol and diesel prices by 14 per cent--the highest ever increase. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority increased the kerosene price from Rs (Pak) 49.73 a litre to Rs (Pak) 57.93; that of light diesel oil from Rs (Pak) 49.05 to Rs (Pak) 58.54; and of petrol by Rs (Pak) 10.97 a litre to Rs (Pak) 86.66. This is the sixth increase in petroleum prices since the new government assumed office in the end of February. The price of petrol then was Rs (Pak) 58.70.

Brief

fuel price India fails to shield consumers

Exposure to diesel exhaust induces stress

how often have you felt irritated, even tense, while trying to make your way through car-clogged roads? New research shows that sniffing diesel fumes could well be the reason for your discomfiture.

Guinea charges fuel, subsidizes food

Following soaring fuel prices in the international market, the Guinean government has suspended its long-used subsidies on diesel and petrol. The government had used the subsidies to quell tensions over rising cost of living.